Nevada is a state located in the westernUnited States. The population of the state, as of 2000, is 1,998,257. Nevada is one of the fastest growing states in the country.

"Nevada" is a Spanish adjective that means "snow-covered". The name derives from the Sierra Nevada in the west of the state. The local pronunciation of the state is not "Ne-vah-da", but should be said so that the middle syllable rhymes with "gamble".

Nevada's nickname is "The Silver State" and the state's motto is "All for our Country". The state song is "Home Means Nevada" by Bertha Rafetto. The phrase "Battle Born" appears on the state flag, a reference to the state's founding date during the American Civil War (although no battles of that war took place within Nevada).

On March 2, 1861, Nevada separated from the Utah territory and adopted its current name. On October 31st, 1864, Nevada became the 36th state in the union. There is an enduring myth in the state that it was founded in the midst of the American Civil War so that the Union could gain better access to the wealth of its mines. However, the state was actually founded for more complex political and economic reasons, including the moderate Republicanss' need for more votes to support the reelection of Abraham Lincoln.

It is in a mountain region that includes semiarid grasslands and sandy deserts, and is the most arid (dry) state in the nation. Nevada is a land of rugged, snow-capped mountains, grassy valleys and sandy deserts. The northern and central portions of Nevada are mostly within the Great Basin Desert, while portions of the southern tip are within the Mojave Desert. See also list of mountain ranges of Nevada.

As of the 2000 census, the population of Nevada is 1,711,263. Its population grew 8.4% (132,846) from its 1990 levels. According to the 2000 census,
89.6% (1,533,261) identified themselves as White,
5.5% (94,425) as Hispanic or Latino,
4% (68,541) as black,
1.3% (21,931) as Asian,
0.9% (14,896) as American Indian or Alaska Native,
0.05% (836) as Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander,
2.8% (47,845) as other, and
1.4% (23,953) identified themselves as belonging to two or more races.

6.8% of its population were reported as under 5, 26.3% under 18, and 13.6% were 65 or older. Females made up approximately 50.7% of the population.